Tag Archives: McDowell Nature Center

There are two ways to play it cool in the summer heat: stay on (or in) the water or seek higher, cooler, climes. Our suggestions for weekend fun take both approaches.

Coast

Standup paddleboarding: you’ve been thinking about it, but for whatever reason you’ve yet to give it a try. I don’t know where to rent a board, I don’t have anyone to teach me how, I don’t know the good places to go.read more

Featured Pages

GetHiking! Corporate before hitting the trail at Hanging Rock State Park.

If you’re interested in bringing all the wellness benefits of hiking to your workplace, we can help.

GetHiking! Corporate is an 8-week, employer-sponsored program designed to get employees out of their cubicles and into the woods. What’s the difference between walking a few times around the building at lunchtime and hiking for a couple hours on the weekend? Rather than rushing to get in those laps before you return to your desk, you’ll be challenging mind and body as you move on natural surface with more ups and downs, twists and turns. Rather than focusing on the email you need to send, you’ll be navigating trees and rocks, allowing your brain to shift focus and stress to flow right out of you. In eight short weeks, you’ll be more relaxed, have more stamina, and be more ready than ever to tackle whatever work challenges come your way.read more

Hiking regularly, or making a hike a part of your regular exercise regimen, can have a dramatic impact on your physical and mental health. It’s something nearly everyone can do, and it’s a lifelong activity, something you can do long after your body has said no to more aggressive outdoor pursuits.read more

GetHiking! has Meetup-based hiking groups in North Carolina in Charlotte, the Triad, the Triangle and Western North Carolina, and in Charlottesville and Virginia Beach in Virginia., with a combined membership of more than 8,200. Emphasis for each group is on local hikes; about once a month we try to do a combined hike, either in the mountains, the Uwharrie National Forest or at one of the larger state parks in the Piedmont.read more

Blog Categories

Blog Categories

Archive

Archive

Anything in here will be replaced on browsers that support the canvas element

Let’s start with the weekend forecast: A summertime forecast, especially for Saturday, when we’re looking at temperatures around 90 with the chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Sunday, it cools into mid-80s under mostly sunny skies. Now, the options, which we’ll break into two categories: Water The beach. You can go to the beach, but what you […]

Back in March, way back in March, the American Hiking Society faced a dilemma. National Trails Day, observed the first Saturday in June since the early 1990s, would have to look different this year. In the past, the day was marked by hundreds of events nationwide at which people would gather to build trail, maintain […]

If you want proof of the healing powers of nature, look at the extended spring with which we’ve been gifted. A handful of days in the 80s, some rain, but for the most part, temperatures in the low 70s, dry skies, sun. The kind of days you expect (but still greatly appreciate over) in […]

Stormy weather sticks around, for much of the region, though Saturday: Sunday, it’s low 70s and sunny. Perfect weather for getting outside. But will everyone be thinking along the same lines? Today, we direct you back to some of our strategies for avoiding the crowds that have caused some state parks in North Carolina to […]

Hiking trails continue to be over-run. Thank the run of great weather (OK, there’s been a little rain here and there) and a lack of other recreational options during the age of Coronavirus for that. But this overcrowding is more of a situation for trails intended for two feet. What about all the trails built […]